But in a surprise, it was the hometown Steelers -- not the visitors from San Diego -- who found themselves on the wrong end of a 34-24 score Sunday at Heinz Field.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger faced constant pressure from San Diego's defensive line in his first game back for Pittsburgh (7-6) after missing three weeks with a sprained shoulder and dislocated rib. (STEELERS REPORT CARD: Hand out your grades for Sunday's game)

There was one bright spot: The Steelers maintained their hold on the AFC's final wild-card playoff berth, thanks to Dallas' 20-19 victory in Cincinnati. Pittsburgh has a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over the Bengals (7-6).

Roethlisberger was sacked once and intercepted once, but the biggest blow came when a sideways pass at Pittsburgh's 3-yard line hit tight end David Paulson in the back and rolled into the end zone. The referees called it a lateral and a fumble -- not an incomplete pass -- and San Diego's Quentin Jammer fell on the ball for an easy touchdown.

"We felt like we missed a lot of plays out there," Roethlisberger said. "I missed a lot of throws. I threw it to them once. We all have to play better."

Quarterback Philip Rivers and wide receiver Danario Alexander hooked up on a pair of touchdowns for San Diego (5-8). Nick Novak added two field goals -- one from 51 yards, just the fifth kick of 50 yards or longer in Heinz Field history.

Receiver Mike Wallace scored both of Pittsburgh's touchdowns on the day. He also dropped a long pass in the first half -- so did Antonio Brown -- that could have been a big gain and a momentum-changer before San Diego really got rolling. (PHOTOS: Channing Tatum leads a Terrible Towel wave at Heinz Field)

Roethlisberger finished the day with 285 yards and three touchdowns, and Wallace made seven catches for 112 yards, but most of Pittsburgh's offense came after the Chargers built a 34-10 lead and had the game well in hand.

The Steelers have won road games against Baltimore and the New York Giants this year, but have also lost at Oakland, Tennessee and Cleveland, and now to the Chargers at home -- giving them one of the strangest resumes of any playoff contender.